SALEM, Ore. — A controversial legislative proposal, HB 3305, has surfaced in the Oregon House of Representatives, aiming to ban the sale of standard petroleum diesel fuel in specific counties within just a few years. Introduced by Rep. Karin Power, the bill targets card-lock systems and retail fuel stations, creating a forced transition toward renewable diesel blends that contain at least 99 percent non-petroleum content.
This legislation carries significant weight for any CDL-A driver or owner-operator hauling freight through the Pacific Northwest. By targeting the fuel supply chain, the bill would effectively mandate a shift in equipment usage for the heavy-duty sector. The proposed timeline is aggressive, starting with non-retail dealers in Clackamas, Washington, and Multnomah counties, before expanding the mandate to statewide retail sales.
Under the current text of HB 3305, non-retail dealers—which include the fueling depots essential for many trucking companies hiring in the region—would be barred from selling petroleum diesel as early as 2024. Retail establishments serving the general public would face similar restrictions by 2025 in those three major counties, with a full statewide ban for retail sales scheduled for 2028. The bill defines compliant fuel as blends containing 99 percent or more renewable diesel or biodiesel, effectively removing standard petroleum-based options from the market.
What This Means for Drivers
For an OTR truck driver, this legislation represents a direct threat to operational flexibility and fuel costs. If the bill passes, carriers would be forced to secure consistent access to high-blend renewable fuels, which may not be readily available or priced identically to traditional diesel at every truck stop. Owner-operators could face immediate equipment compatibility concerns, as the long-term impact of running high-percentage renewable blends on older engine models remains a point of contention. Trucking companies hiring in Oregon would likely see a surge in overhead costs as they scramble to comply with these restrictive regional fuel mandates.
Industry Reaction
The Oregon House Republican Caucus has been vocal in its opposition, characterizing the bill as a direct assault on the working class and the state's logistics infrastructure. Representative Shelly Boshart Davis noted that the state’s economy relies on the free flow of freight, pointing out that there are currently no cost-effective, commercially available alternatives to diesel engines for heavy-haul operations. While proponents argue that the shift is driven by cost-saving initiatives from major carriers, the broader industry remains skeptical of the feasibility of such a rapid, government-mandated transition away from petroleum-based fuel.
Key Points
- HB 3305 mandates a transition to fuel blends consisting of at least 99 percent renewable diesel.
- Non-retail fuel dispensing in Clackamas, Washington, and Multnomah counties faces a 2024 cutoff for petroleum diesel.
- Statewide retail sales of traditional petroleum diesel are slated to be banned by 2028 under the current proposal.
- The legislation faces stiff opposition from lawmakers who cite the potential for widespread disruption to the state’s freight and heavy equipment sectors.
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